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Class of 1959 Enjoys Catching Up

By Emily-Sarah Lineback, Connections

class of 59

Class of 1959 Roster

The "Class of 1959 Gathering," held February 13 at HES, began as soon as attendees set foot on campus. Laughter bubbled up among a group of alumnae gathered on a sidewalk near Stone Building. "Wait until you get our age!" one smartly dressed alumna cried out to a passersby, smiling and giggling with two other '59 cohorts. Students who breezed past the boisterous pack had nothing on these women's energy level.

The idea for a '59 "retreat" began brewing five years ago, when Ann Lee Barnhardt Robbins and fellow classmate Sue Ormand Singleton crossed paths again. "I'm sure that Sue and I had not connected in 40 years or more, but when we got together we had such a grand time. It was like 'sister come home.'" From that renewed friendship came plans for this informal gathering.

Ann contacted many of her former classmates by phone and e-mail. "It was such fun to be in contact again," she mused.

Fun was in no short supply for the participants. Hugs and spirited conversations filled the room and overflowed into the hallway. (The banter and excitement got so loud at one point that a student was sent to ask the group to quieten down!)

Activities focused on both the past and the present. Dr. Nancy Nelson-Hodges showed select 1950s pieces from the nearly 5,000 items housed within the Historical Costume Collection.

UNCG archivist Betty Carter shared photographs and facts from the group's time on campus beginning with their freshman year. "You went to a tea on Sunday afternoon," she reminded the group of their first weekend on campus.

"I remember what I wore," replied Patricia Bost Waters.

"You had to obey a long list of rules and regulations," Betty said, looking down at the page in front of her. Among those:

  • Students should not accept rides from strangers.
  • Students attending formal dances may not leave campus during intermission.
  • No smoking in class rooms; library seminar rooms were the exception.
  • No dancing on campus on Sunday.
  • Sunbathing on campus is forbidden except in approved locations.
  • Undergraduates may not keep a car on campus or in the city, except seniors during the last week of school.
  • Freshmen may have two evening engagements a week and four weekends away from campus. (During the second semester, this was increased to three engagements a week and unlimited weekends, including two weekends to non-home locations.)
  • Freshmen must observe closed study, in rooms by 7:30 (with a few exceptions) and lights out by 11 o'clock.

"Did you follow these rules?" Jane Lawrence, HES development director, asked with doubt.

There were nods throughout the room as Matilda Mann McBurney voiced a soft, convincing "Yes, yes, we did."

"You had to have a good raincoat," laughed Evelyn Cabe Timblin, remembering another rule. "You couldn't go out of your dorm room in pants."

Dr. Laura Sims, dean of HES, along with department chairs and other staff members caught the alumnae up to date on some of the exciting happenings and events within their alma mater.

The most radical change for the group came when they toured the Stone Building and visited the TeleLearning and Teleconference Center. Lane Ridenhour, program coordinator and video manager, gave them a short class on new technological possibilities. "We absorb information in a new way," Lane said. "These are just tools," he said, commenting on the large screen at the front of the class and the power outlets at each seat. "It's just another way of communicating," he added, saying that instead of using blackboards, now a camera is used to project images on a screen.

"We telecast classes weekly to other universities...and to different cities around the world." The "class" was sufficiently wowed when Lane ended his demonstration by hopping next door to give a brief taste of how long-distance learning works.

"I can't believe the changes," Sally Brown Fryar said.

"This is so foreign to what we had when we were here," Ann whispered, in awe of how students' experiences have changed over the decades.

The day ended the way it began, with hugs, laughter and nonstop talking; they only paused long enough to gather for a quick group photo on the steps of Stone to document the occasion.

"I'm glad I had the opportunity to come," Frances Blackwelder Koon remarked, not only of the day's festivities but also about her time at the college. "We got a good education."

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Reunions are a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends and rekindle university memories. Most of us are curious about what our fellow alumni are doing (hint: that means we're curious about you!). Please keep in touch with us so we can help you stay in touch, or get back in touch, with those individuals who were such a big part of your life during your time on campus. If you're interested in bringing your classmates together during an "off" reunion year, please contact HES.

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